Former HACC VP Nancy Rockey to plead guilty to $228K wire fraud

By Heather Stauffer,
October 23, 2013 at 10:16 AM

Nancy Rockey, a former Harrisburg Area Community College vice president of college and community development, is expected to plead guilty to federal charges of wire fraud, according to court documents.

The maximum penalty under the federal statute is 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment and a fine. However, court filings say, under the terms of the proposed plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend that the court impose the minimum prison term within the applicable guideline range, and Rockey will agree to make full restitution in accordance with a schedule to be determined by the court.

Rockey was initially charged in Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, but that charge was withdrawn this spring when the case was transferred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which filed charges and a tentative plea agreement Tuesday.

Rockey’s attorney, Adam Klein of Smigel, Anderson & Sacks LLP, said she “is deeply remorseful and accepts full responsibility for her actions.”

According to U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith, Rockey was employed by HACC from 1980 until February 2012. Smith said that in connection with her position, HACC provided Rockey with a HACC credit card for work-related purchases such as textbooks, training materials and other educational items.

Rockey is charged with using the HACC credit card to make online purchases of Target gift cards totaling $228,000, then using them to purchase non-work-related items for herself, her family and her friends. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Rockey created bogus invoices, later submitted to the HACC Finance Office, to conceal the unauthorized purchases.

“Counsel for the defendant has affirmatively indicated to the United States Attorney’s Office that the defendant not only wishes to enter a plea of guilty, but will clearly demonstrate a recognition and affirmative acceptance of responsibility as required by the sentencing guidelines,” the filings say. “Additionally, the defendant has assisted authorities in the investigation and prosecution of her own misconduct by timely notifying authorities of her intention to enter a plea of guilty.”